In 1945, Adolf Hitler issued his so-called “Nero Decree,” ordering the destruction of German facilities that could fall into Allied hands.

In 1951, Herman Wouk’s World War Two novel “The Caine Mutiny” was first published.

In 1976, Buckingham Palace announced the separation of Princess Margaret and her husband, the Earl of Snowdon, after 16 years of marriage.

In 1979, the U.S. House of Representatives began televising its day-to-day business.

In 2003, President Bush ordered the start of war against Iraq. (Because of the time difference, it was early March 20th in Iraq.)

Ten years ago: Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole wrapped up the Republican presidential nomination with solid primary victories in four Midwestern states. President Clinton rolled out a $1.6 trillion election-year budget, promising it would invigorate the economy, erase federal deficits and cut taxes.

Five years ago: California officials declared a power alert, ordering the first of two days of rolling blackouts.

One year ago: Police in Citrus County, Florida, found the body of nine-year-old Jessica Marie Lunsford, more than three weeks after she’d disappeared from her bedroom. (A suspect, John Couey, has pleaded not guilty to capital murder, kidnapping and sexual assault in Jessica’s death.) Irina Slutskaya won the gold medal for the second time at the World Figure Skating Championships, held in Moscow; Sasha Cohen of the United States won the silver medal for the second straight year. Automaker John Z. DeLorean died in Summit, New Jersey, at age 80.